Starting back to work next week :)

c4thyg · 1. Oct 2010, 06:10

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to share my excitement about going back to work. I used to be a medical researcher working on inflammatory conditions, go figure!! I really missed it and haven't worked in it for over 2 years. Anyway, I feel that I'm starting to get a handle on my health and my life in general and have arranged to go back to my old lab on a voluntary basis for 2 days a week. This is to test the water and see what I can still do and how I cope with two full days. Once I know my capabilities I'll apply for funding from various research charities (usually BHF) and hopefully get a salary for myself and 1 or 2 staff to work with me.

I never thought I'd be able to go back to research (my first love) and I'm so excited about it. I'm a little apprehensive at the same time as I don't know if I can actually do it any more so please wish me luck. My attitude is, my brain still works so I'll just have to secure 2 salaries, mine and an assistant's, so I can train someone to do the surgeries that my hands no longer want to do. I can't wait!!

angel1 · 1. Oct 2010, 06:17

Cathy, you are a star!! You have come so far in less than a year.

I wish you all the luck - and love - in the world. Hugs for Meg......Ange.x.

c4thyg · 1. Oct 2010, 06:19

Thx Ange, you'll always a great support.
xx

barbara12 · 1. Oct 2010, 06:22

Hi Cathy
What brilliant news, this will be the best meds ever for you.
Good Luck with it all, and please keep us informed .
Love
Barbara xx

tillytop · 1. Oct 2010, 06:25

I am so thilled for you! Will be thinking of you next week and hoping that it is the start of an exciting new chapter for you.

Love Tilly x

dreamdaisy · 1. Oct 2010, 06:25

What good news, I am so pleased for you! I hope it all works out well. DD

nearlybionic · 1. Oct 2010, 06:52

Hi Cathy
This is such exciting news! I hope everything goes well for you and that you are able to secure the funding and get back to your research.
Good luck xx
NB

gickygawky · 1. Oct 2010, 07:08

That's great news Cathy - Well done!!

Arna xx

tkachev · 1. Oct 2010, 07:37

Just to add my best wishes Cathy. Well done.
I am so glad things have worked out so well for you in all areas of your life.

Elizabeth x

speedalong · 1. Oct 2010, 08:46

That sounds fab and you sound very positive and excited about it.

Go girl, go!!

Speedy

skezier · 1. Oct 2010, 09:32

Hi Cathy,

Well done, you have done so well and so pleased for you. Cris x

penfactor · 1. Oct 2010, 09:44

That's great, Cathy! Wishing you all the best & hoping all goes well
love Pennie X

ironic · 1. Oct 2010, 11:51

Wishing all the luck in the world for next week.
Well done for getting yourself back to the job you love.
I'm excited for you. It will be a great boost for you.
Do you have to do the two days together?

Lv, Ix

c4thyg · 2. Oct 2010, 06:21

I'm looking forward to working again, it's the time either side of it that has made me apprehensive. I'll have to be up at 6.30 to get myself and Meg ready. Meg will be at nursery for 7.30 and then I'll have at least an hours commute to work. I'm relying on her dad and my father to pick Meg up from nursery as I'll have the commute home as well and I don't want Meg to have such a long day in nursery. Things are so much more complicated as a single parent. Everyone thinks I'm mad for even trying to do this but I love my job so I've got to try.

I'll let you know next week how it goes. It could go either way. :? I'll be working Tues/Weds so by Thursday I'll be hanging!!

Am I bonkers?

dorcas · 2. Oct 2010, 06:30

No... you're not bonkers :!:

I know what you mean about loving your job and wanting to get back.... and as long as you can/ able to work..you should !
It's a part of who we are and I know I sorely miss my last job.

just be careful about energy levels especially as you have Megan to run after before and after work. :!:

good luck Cathy! will watch for your posts next week!

Iris xxx

c4thyg · 5. Oct 2010, 12:35

I've now done my first day back in the lab and I'm knackered. Hopefully tomorrow won't be so hard as I got stuck in Ryder Cup traffic this morning and took 2 hours to get there!! :roll: I'm still very uncertain about if this is going to work out but I don't think 1 day is enough to know.

I've got a lot of reading to do to get back up to speed on current research and I have to change my focus to accommodate arthur. :roll: It occurred to me that I could go the more clinical route and recruit patients who have inflammatory conditions to see what markers have changed in their blood. Of course inflammatory arthritis is an example. I'm curious to know how you feel about working with research scientists and what your thoughts are. I don't yet have funding so this is all hypothetical but it might be good to get an idea if working with patients might actually work. I've never tried recruiting patients before. If you were approached to give a blood sample to research how would you feel about it? I have always said yes but I am from the research background so I would do. Like I said, purely hypothetical.

penfactor · 6. Oct 2010, 05:26

Hi Cathy
Hey, well done for your first day back! Good to hear it already sounds as if you are growing passionate about it too.
I, as a patient, would have no problem giving a blood sample for research. I donated bone from my hip op last year for them to do whatever with!
I have no chance of going back to my last career in retail/beauty but am trying to stay hopeful the jobcentre plus people might be able to help me find something. Time is not on my side anymore though

love Pennie X

dreamdaisy · 6. Oct 2010, 06:08

I have taken part in quite a few medical research projects, all connected to asthma and hayfever treatments. My synovial fluid (in the days when it was regularly collected from my knees) was also sent off for analysis. I will always volunteer for things - how else do researchers discover stuff if no one donates blood/fluid etc or is willing to guinea-pig drugs? DD

c4thyg · 7. Oct 2010, 05:31

Thanks for your comments guys. I have to say that being back in the lab is really hard work and I can't do anything else that day but I have to see if it's worth it. I think my days of doing surgery are over which is why I was thinking about working more with patients as the consultants are the ones to collect samples (I'm not medically qualified). That way no one will suffer if I'm having an off day!

I'd be more the thinker behind the scenes.

I have to say that I'm glad I'm at home today. 2 days in the lab was more than enough this week. I just hope I get used to it soon. It is good to be back though.

dreamdaisy · 7. Oct 2010, 05:56

Cossett your spoons as much as you can. Delegate as much as you can, rest as much as you can, and I hope it all works out. DD

Starting back to work next week :)

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